Tie plate dispenser and method therefore

Abstract

Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which aligns tie plates for dispensing based on rail base rather than outer edges of the tie plate. Thus tie plates are aligned and located in a differing manner than prior art systems. Further, the tie plate dispenser includes an opening over which a magnet is disposed to retain a tie plate over the opening. The tie plate over the opening may be selectively released by disengaging the tie plate from the magnet.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A tie plate dispenser, comprising:
 a first conveyor and a second conveyor each defining a respective surface along which one or more tie plates are configured to move, said first conveyor and said second conveyor being separated by a frame member; 
 said first conveyor and said second conveyor being moveable toward or away from each other; 
 a guide disposed above each said first conveyor and said second conveyor, each said guide being movable toward or away from the conveyor surface; 
 each said conveyor having structure which is disposed between shoulders of said one or more tie plates; 
 a clearance disposed between said guide and said one or more tie plates to allow said one or more tie plates to move along each said conveyor, said guide precluding said one or more tie plates from flipping while on each said conveyor. 
 
     
     
       2. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 1 , each said conveyor being a roller conveyor. 
     
     
       3. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 2 , said roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers which are each sized to fit between shoulders of each of said one or more tie plates. 
     
     
       4. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 1 , said guide being formed of metal. 
     
     
       5. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 1 , said guide being formed of low friction material. 
     
     
       6. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one rail wheel. 
     
     
       7. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 1 , each said conveyor having an upper end and a lower end defining a declined conveyor. 
     
     
       8. The tie plate dispenser of  claim 7 , further comprising an actuator assembly at said lower end of each said conveyor. 
     
     
       9. A tie plate dispenser, comprising:
 a conveyor defining a surface along which one or more tie plates are configured to move; 
 a rigid guide disposed above said conveyor, said rigid guide being movable toward or away from the conveyor surface; 
 said conveyor having structure which is disposed between shoulders of said one or more tie plates; 
 a clearance disposed between said rigid guide said one or more tie plates to allow said one or more tie plates to move along said conveyor, said rigid guide precluding said one or more tie plates from flipping while on said conveyor.